rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

No. My suggestion is to use the 17" as a monitor, and the mini is the new computer with internal and maybe external drive to get what you need.

I am no expert--just a suggestion that IF this works as a monitor (talk to apple) this would be thousands of $$ cheaper than the studio setup.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I have heard this can be done on certain 27" models. This would solve my problem. I will have to call Apple.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Not sure if this is possible anymore. I think Apple discontinued the Target Display Mode on their newer hardware.

jims203 Loc: Connecticut

You may need to get all new editing programs. LIghtroom 6, photoshop elements and many others will not run on the new machine.

whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

I understand what you mean. I am in the same situation. My 2014 iMac no longer accepts any OS upgrade; only security fixes. It is fully capable otherwise since I had it worked over by Other World Computing. Apple dropped the 27" iMac when they moved to the M chipset. I want a larger screen than the 24" models. Currently, the only solution offered by Apple is to go to a Mac mini or Mac Studio and buy one of their large monitors. I don't see that as a downside because a fully maxed out 27" M3 chipped iMac is probably going to cost well over $2K if they decide to make it and I can get a very capable Mac Studio with the M1 for that amount. I haven't changed yet because I can still do everything I want to do on my 2014 model, but one day that will not be possible.

neillaubenthal

Apple might eventually ship a 27" iMac with the M chip but nobody really knows if and/or when. At this point…my primary recommendation for computers for most people is a laptop with an attached external display of the size desired…there are a bunch of good decently priced 27" displays on the market.

Even the first generation M1 chip bows away the fastest Intel based Mac…and the M2 and now the M3 are faster.

Depending on your budget…I would recommend either a MacBook Air or the 14" MacBook Pro, and if you're doing photos then upgrading to the Pro version of the chip will help if budget allows, although the Air doesn't have the Pro chip but it is lighter than the MacBook Pro.

Depending on which one you get…16GB RAM is enough but for heavy image processing loads 32 is better and you can get up to (I think) 2 TB of storage depending on model, after that you'll need external storage but most image people do that anyway if they have large Lightroom catalogs. I have an external RAID 5 Thunderbay mini from OWC (macsales.com) attached to my Lightroom computer…I keep the catalog, smart previews, and current year original images on the internal SSD and older years out on the RAID. Smart previews allow some access to and processing of older year images if I need to when out of the house although the need for the is minimal. Every Jan 1 I move the old year images out to the RAID and start a new folder for the new year. Depending on how many photos you have in older years…you could keep 2 or 3 years worth on the internal drive as well…although smart previews solves (partially) that issue.

You can either use the laptop as is or get a keyboard and mouse and can use both the built in display and an external…all peripherals are connected via USB-C or Thunderbolt and the display just plugs in.

Apple just introduced the new M3 chip the other day…

If you prefer a desktop over a laptop…the M2 or M2 Pro Mac mini is also a good choice…but in all of the Mac line these days the performance differential between the laptop and desktop models is almost gone (as compared to the old Intel days) since it's the same chip inside both of them…the differences come down to number of ports, RAM, and storage along with differing numbers of cores and GPU cores depending on which version of the chip you get. But really…even my wife's original M1 MacBook Air was significantly faster than the high end 2019 Intel iMac I used to process Lightroom with and it's the slowest M series computer ever introduced.

rmcgarry331

While everyone has focused on the internals of the new M2 & M3 Mac's, they have not mentioned that all M series Macs support Thunderbolt 3 or 4. The Pro series M chips support Thunderbolt 4, which gives you the capability of running 2 4k displays at 60hz from a single Thunderbolt connection. You can also run Thunderbolt drives giving you 40 megabit performance from an external SSD. This way you can configure a smaller internal SSD, and still have great file performance, and upgrade storage as necessary.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I have a 27" Mac which is getting a little iffy... I have been using my wife's new iMac with the M1 chip for a lot of my online time. I will also be getting a 24" when the time comes. I can tell you this much, You will get used to the 24" screen... its not that small. The performance of the M chip is fantastic... If you are not doing production or professional work I see no reason to even worry about M2 or M3 chips. The only option I got her was an Ethernet port for easy internet plug in and 30.00 more for a numeric keypad. I think I would bump memory to 16 and it is up to you how big of an SSD card. Bottom line is these are very fast with no wait time... Really, what is the big rush anyway if you are not into production. I have had (2) 27" Macs but as I said the next will be an iMac 24.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

[quote=Photolady2014]So my husband may be in need of a new computer. I was thinking of giving him my computer and going for a new Mac with the M chip.

You have gotten quite a bit of good accurate information.
But every but makes it more confusing.
There are four issues based on your post:
- How is the new M chip
- 27" screen or not
- Internal Storage
- All-in-one (iMac) or not

#1. M chip is not an issue. Everyone...everyone who uses Mac agrees that the M1 chip outperforms your current intel chip. And, most if not all, programs you use are compatible with the M chips. BUT..you may need to upgrade your software. i.e. I switched to MS Office 365 subscription and Adobe subscription with the M1 chips AND upgraded Mac OS. You will likely get Ventura on the new Macs. Possibly Sonoma (the previous OS). PS is fully compatible with the M1...silicone. Just don't know which version you use and its compatibility with the OS.
So, M1 to M3 will make your head spin with their speed.
Everyone suggests to max out the RAM. My iMac 24 with 16GB and my MBPro 16" with 16GB perform just fine. I would likely go up to 24 next time..just because. I don't do video.
If the M chip works for you with the software upgrades...go to #2.
#2-I had the 27" screen in my office and at home. I upgraded both to the iMac 24" and have not looked back. My editing is basically done on my 16" MBPro anyway. I do not think that the 24" should be a deal breaker for you--but you must decide. And if you must have a 27" screen and have room for other equipment, then skip the iMac and go to the other options discussed by others. In either case..go to #3.
#3. Most will advise you not to store your photos on your internal drive. No argument here. In the 'old days' many of us did store the photos on our HDD because editing was faster. But this has not been the case with Apple's OS and the use of external drives. Today (for quite some time now anyway), it is sound practice to store or 'reference' your files on an external SSD. I now have 2 4-TB Samsung T7 Shields. Recently upgraded from 2TB (among other backup). One is always connected to my computer that is the primary for my Capture 1 referenced files. And the other is only connected to when I do a local backup with Carbon Copy.
I have 1TB of internal SSD storage in all my computers and am not even close to using it all having my photos on an external drive. Assuming you move to doing it this way...only your budget will determine if you purchase more internal storage. It is not a 'better performing' machine....If this works for you...go to #4.
#4-Also refers to issues in #3 above.
If 27" screen is non-negotiable--forget the iMac and go with the Mac Mini or Studio. You will likely only be considering the Mac Mini (the Studio is very $$$ and does not sound like you have any need for this powerhouse.) It will give you everything and anything you require. And it has the M2 chip. And, from a space standpoint, the Mini does not take up a lot. The Mini will end up costing you more no matter what options you select (and there are a lot). Even if you spec it out similar to the iMac, you still need to purchase a 27" monitor. (I'll leave this to the experts).


And, once you make a decision, I would wait a little while for the Apple sales for the holidays. There will be some, and they may include what you have selected. During this time you can do an evaluation of your software so you can be prepared when you do get your new M series computer.

No matter what your selection--you will be thrilled.
Good luck.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I solved basically the same problem by buying a new stand-alone Mac computer box and adding a 27" monitor (a BenQ in my case).

It's a great combination, and I love it as a replacement for my old iMac 27". The various boxes are offered customizable to your needs--memory, ram, storage, etc. Go to the Apple website to see the offerings. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned of the options.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Should I assume you do not have an Apple Store near by? If you do, go there to research their offerings and get first hand info.
Go to the apple website, which you may have already done. There you can configure the Mac you want.
Someone mentioned they just came out with a new Mac chip. This may lower the price of the last chip model. Or, go for the newer chip one to have the latest if you can afford it.
One thing you said that would concern me is that you like to store all of your photos on your local drive and do not like using an external drive. Do you backup the main drive?
I use a SSD drive bigger than my internal drive to off load photos to. If I need to retrieve something I just plug the drive into my MacBook Pro and search for what I need. This keeps my MacBook uncluttered and performing at its best.
As for the monitor, you can always buy a bigger monitor or for that matter, plug it into a tv via HDMI and you can go up to 82” monitor.
Good luck!

ezslides

I also have an aging 27" iMac, and from reading lots of articles think a Mac Studio computer with a Studio monitor would be the best compromise for a new system. External storage is fine and very quick these days. The main thing to consider is that the Apple monitors are superb. I've had quite a few others, and I've never been happy with the color renditions as compared to iMacs. I have not updated as I still have two important programs which will not run on the new models.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I just bought a new Mac Studio desktop computer with a 27" monitor. You can still buy the all in one computer- or buy the components separate and set up what you want in monitor size , Ram, storage- which is what I did. Be prepared for sticker shock if you go this direction. The computer itself is a box about 8x8x3 inches and sits on my desk. It has multiple connection ports on the backside and one in the front. You can get it with the M1 or M2 chip. I bought mine from BH Photo and it was free 2 day delivery. They offered a better overall price than Apple (with some discounts) and 12 month interest free or tax paid accounts. I am very happy with the computer performance.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Thanks everyone for all the information! It has helped a lot!!!

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

After much reading, I recently switched from PC and bought a Mac mini M2 with 32 GB of RAM and only 512 GB of storage. I only put apps on the main drive. I added a 4TB external SSD that plugs in a hub and use a Thunderbolt 4 to connect to mini. That’s my storage and it’s fast and seamless. I found online a Crucial 4TB m2 card for about $200 vs the $1200 more to let Apple do it. I also backup all to an external 8TB HD using Time Machine, a portable 5TB SSD monthly and subscribed to Backblaze. The cost savings covered everything new and then some. And I use my old 27” NEQ monitor. I’m happy and it works for me! Several YouTube videos online about how to set up the external hub.